374 



ing deeply into the fur, cut into the neck musculature, ultimately caus- 

 ing death. The number of seals that are caught and drowned in fish 

 nets is not known, but may be of considerable magnitude. Further, 

 investigations into the effects of the increasing commercial fishing fleets 

 in the Bering Sea on the food fishes of the breeding fur seals should be 

 initiated, as they may affect the period of time and distance that mother 

 seals may have to forage before returning to nurse their pups on the 

 rookeries. This may be an important factor in pup mortality from 

 malnutrition and starvation, and if found to be so, may require inter- 

 national cooperation in prohibiting commercial fishing within a dis- 

 tance, for example, of 100 miles around the Pribilofs and other breed- 

 ing areas. 



It is abundantly clear, therefore, that any proposed legislation per- 

 taining to marine mammals must includeprovisions for rational man- 

 agement, of which research, possible habitat improvement, and popu- 

 lation manipulation are integral parts. 



In the case of the fur seals, a lack of management will result in the 

 resumption of pelagic sealing by other nations, with its resultant suf- 

 fering and wastage, and, combined with increased natural mortality, 

 culminate in a Prlbilof seal herd which will undoubtedly stabilize at an 

 unacceptably low population. 



Rational management is a necessary requisite for wildlife, not only 

 from a natural resources standpoint, but also for humane principles. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Mr. Denney, the committee is grateful to you for your 

 statement. 



Mr. Pelly? 



Mr. Pelly. Mr. Denney, is the method used to kill mink for fur- 

 coats humane ? 



Mr. Denney. Mr. Pelly, this is probably a matter of oi^inion. I am 

 not acquainted with the method used by all mink farmers. 



Mr. Pelly. I do not know if all the mink farmers use the same 

 method. 



When I was in Alaska, I was told that the mink has a characteristic 

 that it will grab with its teeth anything that comes near it. 



In fact, I almost lost a finger by one of these creatures. They use 

 cyanide on a stick and it just touches the top of the tongue of the 

 mink and it just drops dead immediately. 



Could that be used for seals ? 



Mr. Denney. I do not actually know. 



I suspect that the limitation on the possible utilization of a carcass 

 would be affected by the use of a chemical such as cyanide in the har- 

 vesting of seals. 



Mr. Pelly. The purpose of using this method is that it does not in 

 any way harm the pelt. 



Mr. Denney. The pelt ; yes. 



Mr. Pelly. Well, I see you do not have the answer, but I think in 

 a study of humane treatment in killing of animals that someone should 

 come up with an answer as to whether the killing of mink by such a 

 method or other methods of which I do not know are inhimiane. 



Mr. Denney. There are several methods used on mink farms, but I 

 suspect that a poison such as cyanide might come under attack by 

 many people as witnessed by the public outcry regarding the poisoning 

 of predators. 



